Cookie Policy & Privacy Controls
Effective Date: December 15, 2024
Important: This Cookie Policy explains how Geek Experts LLC uses cookies and similar technologies on our technical support platform. For complete information about data collection and privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences, keeping you logged in, and improving our platform's performance.
Similar Technologies We Use:
- Web Beacons/Pixels: Small invisible images that help us track page views and email opens
- Local Storage: Browser storage for preferences and temporary data
- Session Storage: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser
- Mobile Identifiers: Device-specific identifiers for mobile app analytics
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for several important purposes to enhance your experience on our technical support platform:
Essential Platform Functions
- Account Management: Keep you logged in and remember your preferences
- Security: Protect against fraud and unauthorized access
- Expert Matching: Remember your technical issues and preferred expert categories
- Chat Functionality: Maintain your conversations with technical experts
- Form Data: Remember information you've entered to save time
Platform Improvement
- Usage Analytics: Understand how our platform is used to make improvements
- Performance Monitoring: Track page load times and identify technical issues
- Feature Testing: Test new features with selected users
- Error Tracking: Identify and fix bugs in our platform
Marketing & Advertising
We use Microsoft Advertising and other platforms to reach people who might benefit from technical support:
- Advertising Effectiveness: Measure which ads help people find our service
- Remarketing: Show relevant ads to people who visited our website
- Audience Building: Create anonymized audience segments for better targeting
- Conversion Tracking: Understand which marketing channels work best
Microsoft Ads Policy Compliance: Our advertising practices comply with Microsoft Advertising policies. We provide clear disclaimers about service limitations and do not make unrealistic promises about outcomes.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for our platform to function properly. They cannot be disabled without affecting core functionality.
- User authentication and session management
- Security and fraud prevention
- Load balancing and platform stability
- Legal compliance and consent management
Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how our platform is used so we can improve it.
- Google Analytics - website traffic and user behavior
- Microsoft Clarity - user session recordings and heatmaps
- Custom analytics - platform-specific performance metrics
- Error tracking - identify and fix technical issues
Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your preferences and choices.
- Language and region preferences
- Expert category preferences
- Chat and notification settings
- Display preferences and accessibility settings
Advertising & Marketing Cookies
These cookies are used to show you relevant advertisements and measure their effectiveness.
- Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) - ad targeting and measurement
- Google Ads - conversion tracking and remarketing
- Facebook/Meta Pixel - social media advertising
- LinkedIn Insight Tag - professional network advertising
4. Third-Party Cookies & Services
We work with trusted partners who may place cookies on your device when you use our platform:
Analytics Partners
- Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis and user behavior insights
- Microsoft Clarity: User experience optimization through session recordings
- Hotjar: User feedback and behavior analysis
Advertising Partners
- Microsoft Advertising: Bing Ads platform for reaching potential customers
- Google Ads: Search and display advertising networks
- Facebook/Meta: Social media advertising platforms
- LinkedIn: Professional network advertising
Platform Services
- Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal for secure transactions
- Customer Support: Chat and help desk tools
- Email Services: Communication and notification delivery
- CDN Services: Fast content delivery worldwide
5. Detailed Cookie Information
| Cookie Name |
Purpose |
Duration |
Type |
| session_id |
User authentication and session management |
Session |
Strictly Necessary |
| user_preferences |
Remember language, expert categories, and settings |
1 year |
Functional |
| _ga |
Google Analytics - distinguish users |
2 years |
Analytics |
| _gid |
Google Analytics - distinguish users |
24 hours |
Analytics |
| _clsk |
Microsoft Clarity - session tracking |
1 day |
Analytics |
| _uetmsclkid |
Microsoft Advertising - click tracking |
1 year |
Advertising |
| _fbp |
Facebook Pixel - ad targeting and measurement |
3 months |
Advertising |
| li_at |
LinkedIn - advertising and analytics |
2 years |
Advertising |
Note: This table includes the most common cookies. Additional cookies may be set based on your interactions with our platform and the features you use.
6. How to Manage Your Cookie Preferences
Your Cookie Control Options
You have several options for managing cookies and tracking technologies:
Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies: Prevent all cookies from being stored
- Block third-party cookies: Allow only our cookies, block partner cookies
- Delete existing cookies: Remove cookies already stored on your device
- Get notifications: Be notified when cookies are being set
Browser-Specific Instructions:
- Chrome: Settings > Advanced > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Cookies
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings > Site permissions > Cookies and site data
Mobile Device Controls
- iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking > Ask Apps Not to Track
- Android: Settings > Privacy > Ads > Reset advertising ID
- Browser apps: Use in-app privacy settings to control cookies
Advertising Opt-Out Tools
Industry Opt-Out Resources:
Important: Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on our platform. Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for basic platform functionality, security, and legal compliance.
7. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will:
- Update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy
- Notify you of significant changes via email or platform notification
- Provide advance notice for material changes that affect your rights
- Maintain an archive of previous versions for your reference